Old thread, but it's interesting to see how opinions change as new saws come out.
The Echo 590 is a decently powered saw, if a bit heavy for its displacement. I have a 257 conversion with a 262 top end, and I find very little difference between the two saws, except for the Husqvarna being a pound lighter. So I would have to say that Spike 60's assessment that the 262 is overrated in power is correct.
I have a pioneer p40 that's definitely more powerful than both of those saws but it's in a different displacement class. It also has the advantage of reed valves which gives it power everywhere.
This weekend I'll be putting those saws up against a Homelite xl76 in excellent cosmetic shape that I found in the junkyard. So far that saw has surprised me with its power even though I know it could benefit from a new set of rings. All saws are wearing 3/8 full chisel chains, so it should be an interesting comparison.
The Stihl ms400 looks impressive, but it should be for its price. It's also a different class of saw displacement wise, so not really a fair comparison.
In the future I'm going to have to look for an ms361 and do a muffler mod, I like my 257-262 but it's hard to find parts for.
The 60cc class saws have their place, if you're not cutting anything over 2 foot in diameter they do just fine. Around here you rarely come across anything bigger than that. Would that be the only saw I own? Heck no. Once you've used a high revving 45 to 50 cc lightweight saw you realize they definitely have their place in the arsenal. But that's a subject for a different thread.
